READER SUBMITTED:

On Sunday, June 15, ground was consecrated and broken on the site of 54 Huntington St., on Asylum Hill where a new new, single-family home is to be built. The ceremony began with a welcome from Rev. Matt Laney of Asylum Hill Congregational Church (AHCC), continued with remarks from neighborhood stakeholders and concluded with all present singing a hymn together.

Over the past seven years, volunteers from AHCC have worked with non-profit developer Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (NINA) to build and rehab some beautiful historic houses in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. Working together, these organizations have generated a community-wide effort to increase the rate of home-ownership on Asylum Hill while keeping housing affordable. Starting in June, several neighborhood agencies will be working with NINA and The Hartford Financial Services Group to build a Victorian style house at 54 Huntington St.

Over the next six months, there will be a need for construction volunteers on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week. There will also be periodic Build Days for families and other groups. The work will include carpentry, hanging sheetrock, painting, and finish work under the supervision of crew leaders with years of experience in working with volunteers. In addition, volunteers will be needed as hosts in the mornings and as cooks to prepare lunches for the construction volunteers.

No prior construction experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and to have a heart for the city. If you would like to volunteer for construction, hosting, or meal preparation, please contact Rich Grobe at 860-306-5394 or rrgrobe@aol.com.